Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-01
NEW YORK LETTER.
THE LIGHTS ARD SHADOWS OF THE
METROPOLIS,
The Dude OF tho Sea- An Anecdots OF Nils
SON cTooks Yire. Escapes
Blackmailing.

Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispa.ch.l
NRw YORK, April 30. 1887.
The captain OF first. class ocean
steamer is always a social success when
he is in port ii he desires to be. or
course, many do not care for other dis
tinction than comes from being leader
. OF the little social world within their
ships The captains of the Cunardcrs
are nearly all fond Of society. Perhaps
the most pronounced success Is the
captain OF the Aurania. Ills handsome
face and charming manners have won
him he rather unjust title OF the
Dude OF the Ocean The salary OF
Cunard captain is about 5000, and
he can make $500 TO 1000 year
extra by renting his cabin, which is
the finest and haudsomcst on the vessel.
There are other privileges. The day
before sailing the captain can give n
dinner to his friends, and 1t is always a
good one In this way he makes re-
turns for the social iavors he receives.
happened TO meet the captain of the
Auramia shortly after his arrival here
the other day, and he found awaiting
him about hundred letters from lead
ing people in New York and vicinity in
wiling him TO dinner parties, theatre
parties, and so on. 1t was impossible,
OF course, 10 accept them all, and where
he could not accept he was sure 70
offend. so that II requires great deal
of tact. In fact, TO be "a popular
commander of vessel, he tells
me that it is necessary to be
trained in diplomacy. Very often
there viii be "A dozen ladies on board
his vessel, and lac dare not show one
more attention than the other, and
even with the exercise OF the greatest
tact the captain often makes matters
very unpleasant for himself. II is ne
cessary 10 systematic matters. II is
the ambition OF the majority of the
passengers TO sit ON the right hand OF
the captain at the dinncr-table, and Of
course il is for him 10 say who the per
son shall be. To avoid trouble, should
any lady or gentleman have a title from
the English Government he will select
the one holding the highes! rank, or
upon occasion the courtesy viii be ex-
tended to some distinguished american.
In The absence OF distinguished persons
he selects the one who has been across the
ocean the greatest number Of times.
One of these captains was telling me
about trip that Christine Nilsson
made with HIM. She was the most dis
tineuished lady aboard, and no was
possibly more cOusiderate with her
than with any of the others. A num-
ber of other lady passengers were high
ly indignant at this, and referred to
Miss Nilsson in very Unkind way.
One lady spoke OF her as Il common
singer end claimed the social hOnors
for herself. Dut by little incident
they all were made to nchnOwiedge that
Miss Nilsson wG3 entitled 10 superior
attention. One night there was ter
rblc gale, and al the timld passengers
thought that the good Old ship would
certainty 20 down. The captain,
who during fair weather had
spent q large par, oi his time in a
social way now took bis place on the
bridge. The waves swept over the YES
sci, and nobody but the officers of the
ship were allowed on deck. II was ne
Cessary for the captain to he strapped
10 the bridge, or he certainly would
have been swept oil his feet at any mo-
ment Miss Nilsson occupied the cap
tain's cabin, which was directly under
the bridge. A few feet below it was a
pOit-hole, and by STOPPING down the
captain could get his ear within short
distance of it. lie had been on the
bridge Tor seven hours. and every one
wondered that be had not succumbed
through exhaustion. While he kept his
post many of the hnrdships OF his
trying position were relieved by Miss
Nilsson divine singing The captain
was paSsionately fond OF music, and
Mrs Nilsson sat forhours with her face
to the portfolio pouring ont her mag |
nificent voice III is fnll power, so that
the captain might hear her. The next
morning the storm was over. At the
breakfast table every one WIS heaplng
praise upon the captain, whom he said
that had it not been for Miss Missions
singing he could not have remained
50 long at his post. and sud that
the passengers owed 10 her rs
much as 10 any Oue else vote
of thanks for their safety. They
appreciated it. ana during the rest Of
the voyage by unanimous consent the
captain was allowed to pay exclusive
attention to tie iair singer.
lard LINES TOR CITY CROOKS.
1t is one OF the boasts of the New
York detectives that they are personally
acquainted WITH All the professional
criminals in and near town, The results
of this acquaintance are often peculiar.
You are talking with Detective Prior a
few feet from the dOOI of the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, and he sees q young
dandy halt few feet away. Better
keep right on" he SAYS 10 The dandy
hurry up, now" ooh, good morn
ing" SAWS the dainty, " iln only going
10 sci nv watch. flat Is hid Miller.
chief of the buICo.men. and the detec.
tive will not allow lin. to stop in front
uf thc hotel lCu are pushing your
way into Macy's shopping store, and
little ladylike body is Just ahead OF You.
Sudd,Lly some one s'crs up to her and
roughly orders her to "Gct out at
once" Certainly. sir, she says very
mcekly. q" was only going 80 match a
niece uf silk" she lies. she Is n
shop-liftor and tie man who ordered
her ont is d detective
Perhaps you are as the Arion ball
with liz 5000 dancers and lookers-on.
You walk in the lobby near the entrance
for breath of air and meet Captain
Williams, in uniform, alert aud hand
some as an eagle. He darts from your
side and stands in front Of s.out,
elderly. well-dro sscd gentleman so as to
oppose his progress. "~hnt do you
mean by coming here ?' he says. The
mau answers boldly My wife Is
here and | have come to take her
home" "That1l do now,' says the
CAPTAIN there's the door; get !"
And, MS Artemus Ward used TO say,
che gets" OF course. the man Is a
pick-pocktt.
A neatly dressed. rather substantial
hooking man oil middle age, sends in
bis card to Inspector Byrnes at police
HEADQUARTERS The name On The card
is that of burglar better known by an
ciios-say "Red Leary," for instance.
"Well, what do you want 2" Mr.